HMCS Edmonton involved in three drug busts - more than 2,000 kilograms of coke seized

In this file photo, sailors from Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) EDMONTON and a United States Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment member (center) gather several packages that were recovered after being thrown overboard from a vessel of interest during Operation CARIBBE on March 25, 2016. Photo: OP Caribbe, DND

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship Edmonton assisted the U.S. Coast Guard in “disrupting” three separate illicit drug shipments in international waters off the Pacific Coast of Central America, the Royal Canadian Navy says.

The operations took place between November 15-18.

The combined weight of the disrupted drug shipments, confirmed to be cocaine, was an estimated 2,120 kg.

Most of the cocaine was recovered from the ocean after being jettisoned by suspected smugglers in panga-style fishing vessels. In all cases, a U.S. Coast Guard aircraft provided observation and vectoring information to teams deployed in rigid-hulled inflatable boats, and USCG cutters served to house and transport the suspected smugglers who were apprehended, the RCN added in its news release.

In total, 32 bales of cocaine were recovered. A total of seven suspected smugglers were also apprehended by the USCG.

More details from the RCN:

In the November 15 incident, a total of one bale of cocaine weighing an estimated 40 kg was recovered from the ocean, with an estimated 610 kg lost to sea, despite a 10-hour search by HMCS Edmonton. A panga-style fishing vessel was boarded by a USCG LEDET team and four suspected smugglers were apprehended. They were eventually transferred to a USCG cutter.

In the November 17 incident, a total of 16 bales of cocaine weighing an estimated 760 kg were recovered from the ocean. A panga-style fishing vessel was boarded by a USCG LEDET team and three suspected smugglers were apprehended and subsequently transferred to a USCG cutter.

In the November 18 incident, a total of 15 bales of cocaine weighing an estimated 710 kg were recovered from the ocean. A panga-style fishing vessel evaded capture after jettisoning its cargo.